The Washington, DC area International Buddhist Committee is
an interdenominational collection of local Buddhist organizations coming together to organize
and promote events of interest to the entire Buddhist community. Since
1986, IBC member temples have hosted a yearly International
Vesak Festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and
parinirvana (passing beyond).

On May 13th 2012 The Washington Buddhist Vihara will be celebrating VESAK, to commemorate the Birth, the Enlightenment and the Passing away of the Buddha. This is undoubtedly the most sacred day of the Buddhist calendar. The Washington Buddhist Vihara and the IBC ( The International Buddhist Committee of Greater Washington Area) have put together a very stimulating program that would enrich the lives of all participants.

Please come and experience the spiritual bliss at the Vihara and pay your greatest homage to the Buddha. Obseving 8 precepts will start at 8 am. Friends, who like to participate in the International Vesak Celebration, please be at the Vihara by 9 am.

A colorful VESAK procession going around the block will start by 9 am. Please bringyour kids with bicycles or tricycles decorated with flowers and Buddhist flags and so on to participate in the procession.

9:00 AM International Vesak opens with circumambulation (PERAHARA) and bathing the image of the newborn Bodhisattva

You are invited to join Buddhists from temples representing many different countries and traditions as we celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

The 24th International Vesak Day’s activities include:

Offerings, circumambulations, prayers and homage to Lord Buddha,

Dharma teachings, meditation, cultural presentations and more.

The event will be held at:

The Washington Buddhist Vihara

5016 16th Street NW, Washington DC

Free to the public- donations are welcome.

Directions to the Washington Buddhist Vihara:

From 495, take Georgia Avenue South, going past two intersections

Take slight right on 16th Street South, travel 4 miles

The Washington Buddhist Vihara will be on the left near the intersection of Gallatin Street and 16th Street.

On Sundays parking is permitted along 16th Street

2009 Flyer:

International Buddhist Committee of Washington, D.C.

The 23rd Annual

International Vesak Celebration

Saturday, May 23, 2009/2553 B.E.

8:30 AM-4:00 PM

You are invited to join Buddhists from temples representing many different countries and traditions as we celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

The 23rd International Vesak Day’s activities include:

Offerings and circumambulations, prayers and homages to Lord Buddha, Dharma teachings, cultural presentations and more. The event will be held at:

Wat Lao Buddhavong Buddhist Temple

3043 Catlett Road

Catlett, Virginia 20119

No charge- Free Parking – donations welcome.

Directions to Wat Lao Buddhavong:

Take Route 66 West

Take Exit 44 onto 234 South

Turn right onto Route 28 South

After about ten minutes, cross the county line for Prince William and Fauquier Counties, look to the left and see the temple roof of Wat Lao

Turn left into drive marked by a welcome to Wat Lao sign

More information about Wat Lao Buddhavong can be found at www.watlao.org

PROGRAM OF EVENTS:

9 AM- Arrival and circumambulation of the Wat Lao temple

9:30 AM- Children’s flower offering to the Buddha

9:45 AM- Introductions and homage to Lord Buddha in various languages

10:15-Pali prayers

-Bestowal of five precepts by the Ven. Abbot Bounmy Kittithammavano

-Recitation of the Heart Sutra in English

10:45 AM- Keynote address

11 AM- Lunch for the monks and nuns followed by lunch for the laypeople

-after lunch, IBC members and laypeople will offer envelopes and flowers to the monks

12:30 PM- pictures of ordained and lay community

1 PM- Cultural performances in front of the temple

3:45 PM- Closing prayers in the temple

2008 Flyer:

The 22nd Annual

International Vesak Day

May 24, 2008 (2552 B.E.), 9 AM-3 PM

Join Buddhists from temples of many cultures and traditions as we celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

Keynote Address by the Venerable Lama Kalsang

The 22nd International Vesak Day’s activities also include:

Offerings and circumambulations, prayers and homages to Buddha, guided meditations and talks given by Buddhist teachers from around the Washington, DC area, and food offerings by members of the participating communities.

Held at:

Sakya Phuntsok Ling

354 Prelude Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901, (301) 592-9286

From the Beltway - Route 495: Take Exit 30, marked Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (Route 29 North). Drive 2 miles (about 5 minutes) and turn left on Prelude Drive. The Retreat Center is 2 and 1/2 blocks on the right. Ample parking can be found on the first two blocks of Prelude Drive or by turning right onto Oak Leaf Drive (at the second intersection on Prelude Drive.)

Join Buddhists from temples representing over 10 different countries as we celebrate the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

Keynote Address by the Venerable Bhante Punnaji Mahatera

The 21st International Vesak Day’s activities also include:

Offerings and circumambulations, prayers and homages to Lord Buddha, guided meditations given by Buddhist teachers from around the Washington, DC area, and cultural offerings by members of the participating communities.

From south or west of Washington (Norfolk, Richmond, Charlottsville) follow interstate 95 north or Interstate 66 east to Interstate 495, the Capital Beltway. Follow Interstate 495 north. See from Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway).

From Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway), take exit 39 and carefully follow the signs for River Road (Maryland Route 190) east toward Washington. Continue east on River Road to the fifth traffic light. Turn right onto Goldsboro Road (Maryland Route 614). At the first traffic light, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue (Maryland Route 396). Continue on Massachusetts Avenue for about two miles, through the first traffic circle (Westmoreland Circle). About on mile further on, enter a second traffic circle (Ward Circle). Take the first right turn out of the circle, onto Nebraska Avenue. The campus is on your right.

From Nebraska Avenue, you may enter the university's visitor parking lot by turning left at the first traffic light onto New Mexico Avenue and then left into the parking lot adjacent to the Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church. Or you may drive directly onto the campus by driving past the first traffic light on Nebraska Avenue and turning right at the first gate. Very shortly, you will see a campus map on the right. It will direct you to the The Admissions Welcome Center, located in Centennial Hall.

BY METRO BUS OR RAIL

From Union Station, National Airport or downtown Washington: Washington's Metrorail opens 5:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. weekends. It closes at midnight Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, it stays open until 2:00 a.m.The closest Metro stop to American University is Tenleytown/AU (also called Tenley Circle) on the Red Line. Metro buses run regularly from Tenley Circle to American's campus, less than a mile away. Metro can give you information on specific route and timetables for buses and trains. Call its information service at (202) 637-7000, or you can contact the Admissions Office for a free AU shuttle pass and schedule information for AU's campus shuttle.

2006 Flyer:

International
Buddhist Committee of Washington, D.C.

The 20th
Annual

International Vesak Day

May 7, 2006/2550

Join Buddhists from temples
representing over 10 different countries as we celebrate the Birth,
Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

The 20th International Vesak Day’s activities include:

Offerings and
circumambulations, prayers and homages to Lord Buddha, workshops,
Dharma lectures and guided meditations given by Buddhist teachers from
around the Washington, DC area, and cultural offerings by members of the
participating communities.